Loads and Freedoms of Life

 

In a well-functioning society, there has to be co-operation among the citizens, or nothing can be accomplished to better the society. As we have witnessed over the past month, millions of people came together to state their opinion and concern about the governing of our society through the voting for representative leadership. Thankfully, we still have the freedom to do such and the right to express ourselves in the voting booth.

Well-functioning societies are all around us, even right under our feet. Arriving at work one morning last week I observed what appeared to be one hundred mini-ants (call them what you may) crossing the sidewalk carrying a dead cricket. They were actually passing it forward to the ants in front and when relieved of their load the ants in the rear moved to the front of the line to receive the cricket again. Total co-operation to bring their spoil home for a feast. I watched for a few minutes in amazement of the wonder of God.

Some historians estimate that up to one-third of the population of the Roman Empire in the first century was enslaved. Think about it – if you had lived during that time, you had a one in three chance of being a slave. The slave market was obviously a thriving sector of the Roman economy. When a person was a slave, of course, they were complete subject to their master. They had no choice nor opportunity for freedom. And believe it or not, in the days of the Roman Empire, there were some good people who didn’t believe in slavery. They knew what kind of life people would live in slavery, and they wanted to do anything possible to alleviate the problem. Some of these people were rich and would go to the slave market to buy slaves - for only one purpose – to set them free. Because the price of the slave had been paid, the slave could be set free. There was even a word used for this practice in first century times. It was “apolutrosis” which means “release effected by payment of ransom; redemption; deliverance” (Vine Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words).

[Romans 3:24] It is no wonder to a society very familiar with this practice that the apostle Paul used this word in describing Christians as, “…being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…” Paul begins the thought with a reminder in the pervious verse, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23). And so, it was with us when we were in sin. We were slaves. We had no choice. We had no opportunity to be free from the penalty of sin. While we were enslaved to sin, we were completely under the control of sin. We were being sold on the open market to the highest bidder. But then Jesus came, had compassion on us, and paid the required price, which was His own sinless life’s blood. Paul confirms this in writing about Jesus, “…whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed…” (Romans 3:25). But we must still accept Him as our new Master. In doing so, Jesus will set us free. We are no longer under the control or penalty of sin. Sin no longer rules our lives, and we are free to escape its deadly grasp. The problem is that some people do not feel like they are free from sin. They continue to live as if Satan is still their master. They let sin control their decisions and lives. In doing so, they are going back to a life of spiritual bondage, disaster, and death. Christian, we need to remember that we have been purchased and set free. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangle again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1).

Our Constitutional Republic society recognizes the God given rights of life and honors His dos and don’ts for a righteous society. If we all share the loads of life, we’ll be blessed.

Ask Counsel of the Lord

The battle between good and evil is a war that will never end. It appears good has achieved a victory over evil but don’t fool yourself, a battle may have been won but the war rages on. Prayer has delivered on its promise and increased prayer for our Country and Constitution will bring restitution to our government. Don’t stop praying!

A new preacher entered a Sunday school class and asked a question pertaining to the lesson which was in progress. “Who broke down the walls of Jericho?” A boy immediately answered, “Not me sir!” The preacher turned to the teacher and asked, “Is this the usual behavior in this class?” The teacher replied, “I believe this boy is an honest boy, and I really don’t think he did it.” Leaving the room the preacher sought out a deacon to explain what had happened. The deacon said, “I have known both the boy and the teacher for several years, and neither of them would do such a thing.” By this time, the preacher was heartsick and reported the incident to the education committee. A spokesperson stated, “We see no point in making an issue out of this. Let’s pay for the damage and we’ll charge it to upkeep. Anyway, we’re already looking into the possibility of our insurance covering it.”

That’s the type of insane, nonsensical, rhetoric that the new President will be facing as excuses and finger-pointing will abound to explain past behavior and failures. Get ready for several more battles and keep your head on straight for the enemy is sly and devious.

[2 Peter 1:2-11] Soon after Israel’s victories over Jericho and Ai, several of Canaan’s southern city-states formed an alliance and immediately set out to fight against God’s people. The fearful Gibeonites, however, had a different strategy. They chose to deceive Israel into thinking they were somebody that they were not (non-Canaanite inhabitants) with hopes of a peace treaty being struck between themselves and Israel. Their deceptive scheme worked, and it was successful because “they (the Israelite leadership) did not ask counsel of the Lord” (Joshua 9 [v.14]).

Tragically, the masses still today are buying into the falsehoods being uttered by the enemies of truth because they are not asking (seeking) counsel of the Lord. Our failure, as a nation, to seek counsel of the Lord, has had devastating consequences as evidenced by the rapid decline of morality, the ever-increasing number of broken and dysfunctional homes, financial woes, religious division and confusion, etc. Hosea recorded what the Lord said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). God, through His Word, gives us everything we need in all matters pertaining to life and godliness, but the problem is, we, like Israel of old, refuse to seek His counsel. The words of the wise man should suffice as we conclude: “Turn at my rebuke; Surely, I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. Because I have called, and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, Because you distained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. Because they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the Lord, They would have none of my counsel And despised my every rebuke. Therefore, they shall eat the fruit of their own way And be filled to the full of their own fancies. For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, And will be secure, without fear of evil” (Proverbs 1:23-33). …pray without ceasing… (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22). 

What Happens After the Vote?

(From Edd Sterchi, Bulletin Digest, November 2024) The election will soon be over, and boy oh boy, will I be glad. I simply detest all of the political rhetoric, spinning of the issues, and the constant, incessant, irritating ads! Regardless of whether our favorite candidate wins or not, and regardless of whether we think the country is headed the right or wrong direction, there are some important things we need to remember after all of the dust has settled. We can glean them from the book of Daniel, who definitely had to endure some wicked, ungodly rulers. God is still in control. No matter who is elected, always remember that God is in charge. In the book of Daniel, four times we read that “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men” (4:17, 25, 32; 5:21). Daniel 2:21 says it best, “He removes kings and raises up kings.” Remember this: no election by man is going to thwart God’s almighty plan! Regardless of who is in office, God’s Will, will still be done. God will make it so that we can remain faithful to Him. No matter how wicked the political leader, no matter how much the laws are changed for the worse, no matter how oppressive the government, Christians can remain faithful to God. Despite servitude and persecution, Daniel was still able to remain faithful to Jehovah God (Daniel 1:1-8, 6:7-10). God will not let a situation happen to His people in which it is impossible for them to remain faithful to His will. Because God is in control and because He will make it so that we can be faithful to Him, we can rest assured that He will reward our faithfulness. All good things come from God, and God can bring blessings into any situation. When Daniel remained faithful, God blessed him (Daniel 1:9, 15-20; 2:46-48; 4:29; 6:1-3, 22, 28). Regardless of who comes into political leadership and regardless of what laws are or are not created, we can have the certainty that if we remain faithful to God, He will bless us and reward us. So, once the election is over, resolve to be a faithful Christian, a good citizen, and a caring human, and maybe it won’t bother you so much just who did or didn’t get elected! And always remember that God will always be God – nothing will ever change that! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17).

[James 2:1-4] The world teaches hate. Turn on the news or any social media and you will be flooded with stories and opinions that drive fear, distrust, and anger. If you are honest with yourself, you know we have all seen prejudice. We are all guilty of prejudice at one time or another, it is almost inevitable. When we see someone, we make a snap judgement. Are they like me or are they different? Based on that judgement we treat them differently. We should see each other as God does. God looks at the heart. He sees us as lost children who have sinned and need salvation. (Romans 3:23). As a Christian, we need to understand the true love that God has for us. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34). God expects us to love the way He does. “Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all” (Colossians 3:11). “Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right” (Acts 10:34-35).

It does not matter to God if we are tall, short, fat, thin, black, white, brown, red, yellow, American, Palestinian, or if our bodies are whole or broken. God wants us all to repent and turn to Him (2 Peter 3:9). We are blessed to have brothers and sisters around the world of every color, culture, and nationality. Do you love them? Do you righteously fear God? 

Now Is Your Time

In George Washington’s September 17, 1796 farewell address, he cautioned against three interrelated dangers that threatened to destroy the Union: regionalism, partisanship, and foreign entanglements. He warned his countrymen not to let regional loyalties overwhelm national attachments: “The name of American…must always exalt the just pride of patriotism more than any appellation derived from local discriminations.” At this time, many Americans primarily identified with their state or region, but Washington reminded the citizenry not to allow such attachments to divide them, lest “designing men” convince them that differing local interests made the Union unworkable or unnecessary. In particular, Washington feared that geographic identities would serve as the foundation for the development of political parties. Indeed, this process had already begun with the emergence of the New England Federalists and Southern Democratic-Republicans. While we currently view partisanship as inseparable from the American political process, in the early republic, most condemned parties as divisive, disruptive, and the tools of demagogues seeking power. “Factionalism,” as contemporaries called it, encouraged the electorate to vote based on party loyalty rather than the common good. Washington feared that partisanship would lead to a “spirit of revenge” in which party men would not govern for the good of the people, but only to obtain and maintain their grip on power. As a result, he warned Americans to guard against would-be despots who would use parties as “potent engines…to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government.” The greatest danger to the Union, though, stemmed from the combination of factionalism and external invasion. Washington explained that partisanship “open[ed] the door to foreign influence and corruption” because it weakened voters’ abilities to make reasoned and disinterested choices. Rather than choosing the best men for office, the people would base decisions on “ill-founded jealousies and false alarms,” and so elect those in league with foreign conspirators. To avoid outside interference, Washington advocated a foreign policy based on neutrality and friendly commercial relations with all.

[Ester 4:13-14] And Mordecai told them to answer Esther: "Do not think in your heart that you will escape in the king's palace any more than all the other Jews. For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father's house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" That was a bold message to give to a queen! But what does money, title, or position matter before God? No matter who you are you cannot remain silent. Mordecai tells her: it is your job to speak up. Cowardice has consequences. God will punish those who live by fear and reward those who live by faith. Mordecai then asks: why do you think you are where you are? Was it just by chance that you became queen? You are queen because God put you there!

And it isn’t just by chance - you were placed where you are today for a purpose. You were called to be God’s instrument of justice in such a time as this. “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live” (Acts 17:26).

“Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their [party] country” – Charles E. Weller. Because we live in a free country threatened by perverted evil, it is our duty to cast our vote, not for party, but for the preservation of our God given rights which have made this country great for 248 years. Remember, the world, and the Lord, are watching. 

No Good Deed Goes...

 

One day in England a “gentleman of the road” (a hobo) stopped by a restaurant named “St George and the Dragon.” He knocked at the back door and asked if he might have a bite of some leftovers to eat. A very stern lady looked the fellow in the eye and said, “I’ll not give you one crumb! You’re a fit fellow – get yourself a job, you bum!” And then to punctuate her point, she slammed the door in the fellow’s face. The shabbily dressed fellow stood looking at the establishment’s sign for a moment and then knocked, again. The door opened and the same stern lady asked in a hateful voice, “Well, what is it you want now!?” “I was just wondering,” he said, “could I please speak to St George this time?”

There's a wonderful legend about Saint Francis who one day informed his brethren that he planned to go into the nearby village on a preaching mission. He invited a novice to go along. On their way, they passed an injured man and Francis promptly stopped, saw to the poor fellow's needs, and arranged medical care for him. They went on and soon passed a homeless man who was near starvation. Again, Francis stopped his journey and ministered to the hungry, homeless man. So it went, throughout the day: people in need, and Francis lovingly caring for them as best he could until the sun was low in the sky. He told his novice friend it was time for them to return, now, to the monastery for evening prayers. The young man queried, "But, you said we were coming to town to preach to the people." Francis smiled and then said, "My friend, that's what we've been doing all day." 

[Matthew 25:31-46] Those who fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, took in the stranger, clothed the naked, cared for the sick, and visited the prisoner heard these words from the King, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Paul wrote, Titus 3:8, “…those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.” The Hebrews writer stated, Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister.”

Enter the devil, stage left. He and those deceived by him consistently repeat, “No good deed goes unpunished.” And sometimes it seems the devil is right. A godly wife does all she can to live the truth of 1 Peter 3:1-6, but her husband doesn’t respond with love. He intensifies his cruelty and rebellion to God. Godly parents do all they can to live the truth of Proverbs 22:6 and Ephesians 6:4, but their children neither appreciate nor internalize godly training. Godly elders attempt to live up to the truth of Hebrews 13:17, but some brethren see them as meddlesome and overbearing. Godly Christians do their best to apply Matthew 18:15-17 and Galatians 6:1-2, but they are accused of trying to force their religion on others. Sadly, all this happens and Satan gloats when he persuades some that righteousness costs far more than it pays.

Happily, scripture countermands each of the devil’s lies. It’s just not true that “no good deed goes unpunished.” Rather, in this sin-damaged world, it’s more accurate to say that “few good deeds go unchallenged.” Satan opposes good, especially good that’s done in the name of Christ. Why? Because the devil knows that good deeds honor God, help people, and mold Christian character. What the devil opposes, God commends. In God’s divine grace and mercy for the faithful, we can say, “No good deed goes unnoticed” – “No good deed goes unappreciated” and “No good deed goes unrewarded.” We have God’s word on these truths. Love the Lord and no good deed will go unrewarded! Voting is a good deed.